Former No. 1 Cubs Pitching Prospect Signs with Astros

Back in early November, former No. 1 Cubs prospect Brailyn Márquez was one of several players on minor league deals with the Cubs to become free agents. Some thought that there was a chance the Cubs would once again give Márquez another chance and re-sign him to a minor league deal, but that possibility is no more.

The former top prospect is officially moving on from the Cubs, as he's signed a minor league deal with the Houston Astros.

Márquez, now 24-years-old, was the Cubs' top-ranked prospect when he made his MLB debut at the end of the 2020 season against the White Sox. The left-handed pitcher was able to record two outs in his first and so far only major league appearance, but he also allowed five earned runs after allowing a pair of hits and three walks.

In 2019, Márquez had a breakout season at A-Ball with Myrtle Beach and South Bend. He made 22 starts and recorded a 3.13 ERA, with 128 strikeouts in 103.2 innings. He had some real dominant stretches that year, including a four-start span in which Márquez allowed just four hits, while striking out 30 batters in 22 innings.

Then, the 2020 season arrived and the minor league schedule was canceled. Márquez pitched against the White Sox in the final regular season game and wouldn't pitch in a game again until 2023. In 2021, Márquez dealt with COVID-19, a strained shoulder and myocarditis. He also missed the entire 2022 season with a second COVID-19 positive test and was eventually shut down after undergoing a surgical debridement procedure on his left shoulder in June.

The Cubs non-tendered Márquez last offseason, but did bring him back on a minor league. However, Márquez simply did not regain the same velocity he once had and struggled in the minors, posting a 4.99 ERA in 30.2 innings, most of which came as a reliever.

Entering the 2020 season, Baseball America ranked Márquez 37th in their top-100 prospects list and 52nd at the start of the 2021 season.

And that wraps up Márquez's time with the Cubs. One of many cautionary tales around baseball that no matter how good a prospect looks, there is no guarantee that they will be a hit in the big leagues or even reach the level. That being said, all the luck to Márquez, who will hopefully remain healthy and get a chance to live his dream.